Kerala to launch all-India campaign to sc ale up domestic tourist footfalls in sum mer
Targeting families/ family holiday make rs during upcoming School Summer Hol idays
Chennai, Mar 19: This time round, the ca mpaign will be particularly focusing on North Kerala, especially Bekal, Wayand, Kannur and Kozhikode, besides lesser-k nown destinations with vastly improved infrastructure, the Minister said.
“Tourists from inside the country have a lways played a paramount role in makin ing Kerala’s tourism a throbbing enterp rise. This has been the thrust of our pan-India promotional campaigns focusing o n reinforcing the state’s position as an a ll-season experiential tourism destinati tion for a diverse range of visitors”, Shri Riyas pointed out.
“I want to firmly assure that Kerala’s tou risty appeal not only retains its endurin ng charm but also keeps evolving with in novative products and initiatives, streng thening the state’s reputation as a welco ming and exciting place for all seasons,” said Kerala Tourism Director Smt. Sikha Surendran.
As domestic visitors account for a formi dable chunk of Kerala’s tourism sector, t he state has launched an all-India camp aign to firm up partnerships with stakeh olders across the country to meet the su rge, especially during the summer vaca tion for schools.
Combining luxury and leisure, Kerala is fast emerging as a preferred hub for De stination Weddings and MICE (Meeting s, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitio ns) events. Records show that more and more Indians and foreign nationals are v isiting Kerala to walk on the altar. With its spectacular landscapes, world-class f acilities and seamless blend of tradition and modernity, the state is also attractin ting event planners, couples and corpor ate clients looking for a distinctive expe rience, said Smt. Sikha Surendran, Direc tor, Department of Tourism, Governme nt of Kerala.
During the post-pandemic phase, Kerala Tourism was accorded coveted internati onal and national honours as a never-mi ss place. The latest such accolade is fro m leading digital travel company Bookin g.com, which ranked Kerala as the secon d in the list of the ‘Most Welcoming Reg ions’ in its 13th Annual Travellers Revie w Awards.
Scaling up Kerala’s standing as an adven ture tourism destination, the state is all set to host international Surfing, Paragl iding and Mountain Cycling champions nships in February-March this year.
The International Paragliding Festival w ill be held at Vagamon in Idukki from M arch 19 to 23, and Mountain Terrain Bik ing Championship (MTB Kerala 2025) o n March 28 to 30 at Mananthavadi in W ayanad.
The state is unique in having a variety of experiences for travel enthusiasts like h ouseboats, caravan stays, plantation vis its, jungle resorts, homestays, Ayurveda eda-based wellness solutions, adventur e activities and countryside walks, inclu ding trekking to verdant hills.
Kerala has witnessed a sharp uptick in d omestic tourist arrivals, surpassing pre-pandemic levels in 2022 while their foot otfalls increased to a record number in 2 023. The increase in footfalls continued in 2024 with a total of 1,08,57,181 tour ist arrivals from within the country in th he first semester (January-June).interna Internati onal tourist arrivals are also ex pected to reach pre-COVID levels this y ear as is evident from an upswing in boo kings during the ongoing winter holiday season.
Anticipating a surge in domestic footfall s during the summer holiday season, Ker ala Tourism has planned an array of trav el trade networking events by organizin g B2B roadshows pan India to roll out ne w products before a wider audience, bes ides active participation in major trade f airs.
